With four new participants, the number of countries taking part in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, rose to 27. 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 30 t
The U.S. Navy has awarded Insitu Inc., a Washington-based UAV manufacturer, a contract to produce initial six RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems. Under the $71.55 million contract, Insitu, a Boeing company, will deliver the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 held a ‘Spanish’ flagship change as one Alvaro de Bazan frigate replaced another on May 27. ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104) took over as flag ship from ESPS Alvaro de Bazan. ESPS Alvaro de Bazan’s service as flagship of SNMG1 began December the 18, 2015 in Cartagena, Spain,
U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Winson held a change of command ceremony on the flight deck at its homeport in Naval Base San Diego. Capt. Douglas C. Verissimo relieved Capt. Karl O. Thomas as commanding officer during the May 31 ceremony. Rear Adm. James T. Loeblein, commander, C
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have kicked off the Malaysia phase of the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series between the U.S. and the armed forces of nine ASEAN member-countries. CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Co
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic will conduct diver training for Caribbean partner nations from May 30 to June 18, 2016, as part of Canada’s participation in Exercise Tradewinds 16. Hosted by the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre and run in Discovery Bay, Jamaica,
Royal Navy’s HMS Bulwark arrived alongside in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, to take part in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland. Fleet flagship HMS Bulwark will be supporting the Jutland 100 national commemorations at Kirkwall and at Lyness Cemetery wit
Commanders from three Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Forces (CTFs) met this month to discuss maritime security. Commander CTF 151 (CCTF 151) Rear Admiral (Radm) Ken Cheong of the Republic of Singapore Navy met with CCTF 150 Commodore Guy Robinson of the Royal Navy, and CCTF 152, Colone
The Mexican Navy has launched a new, Astimar-built, logistic support ship, the ARM Isla María Madre (BAL-11). The 53-meter ship will be used to transport people and goods to and from the Islas Marías Federal Penal Colony located in the Marías Islands archipelago. BAL-11 was launched May 27, 2016, at
French-based defense contractor Thales signed a CAD$35 million, (approx. US$26,8) contract with Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY), to deliver electronic systems for the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV) under the National Shipbuilding
U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy performed a medical evacuation to help a ROK Navy sailor in need of medical attention. The U.S. Navy ship on May 26 received orders from Commander Task Force (CTF) 73 to render medical assistance to a Republic of Korea Navy (ROK-N) submarine in the mid-pacific. M
A U.S. Navy sailor aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) died Thursday, May 26, of a non-combat related injury while the ship was underway in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, Navcent, the Naval Forces Central Command informed. According to the U.S. Navy, the ship’s medical personnel responded to the sc
Ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy 22nd Escort Task Group came alongside in Simon’s Town, South Africa for a formal visit from May 16-20, 2016. The visiting group was constituted by Luhu-class destroyer Qingdao, Jiangkai II-class frigate, Daqing and the Taihu replenishment ship, Taihu. The
The Royal Thai Navy has picked MAN to provide engines for the second offshore patrol vessel the country is building under an agreement with BAE Systems. Under the contract, the German mechanical engineering company will deliver two 16V28/33D STC engines. The 90 metre vessel is an improved River-clas
